Most people interested in securing their homes against possible disasters usually obtain Home Owners Insurance, which protects the structure of their home against natural disasters and thefts. But what happens when one of their major household appliances, such as the central air conditioning unit, stops working?
Most homeowners have experienced, at one time or another, being left without air conditioning on the hottest day of the month. It generally occurs at the worst time possible and can cost thousands of dollars to fix, not to mention the messy process of having to find someone with experience to handle the repair. This is where Home Owners Insurance and Home Protection Plans differ. So which one is better for you, or do you need them both?
First, let’s examine the coverage that Home Owners Insurance offers. A standard Home Owners Insurance policy includes the following:
– Coverage for structure of your home, like walls and windows
– Coverage for personal belongings, like jewelry and electronics
– Liability protection
– Coverage for additional living expenses, if you are temporarily unable to live in your home due to an insured disaster
Now, lets compare Home Owners Insurance to Home Protection Plans. These provide coverage for:
-Repair or replacement of household items, such as water heaters, central air conditioning units or plumbing
– Major appliances, such as refrigerators, clothes washers or dryers
– Special items outside the home, like pool pumps
Although being protected against unexpected natural disasters is an essential coverage that can save thousands of dollars, being protected against appliance repairs and replacements can have an effect just as important. According to data by the American Home Shield, the average cost of replacing a dishwasher is just over $500, to replace a water heater is just under $800, and to replace the air conditioning system can cost up to $2,400.
For more information on which option is best for you and how you can protect your home visit www.ahs.com. The American Home Shield is one of the top industry leaders, servicing more than 1.3 million customers across 49 states.
